What Parents Say

16 year old girl with anxiety

I took my daughter for acupuncture when she was 16 because her anxiety had reached a level where she was barely attending school. I hadn’t realised that she could have acupuncture without needles but when a friend told me this was possible my daughter was keen to try it. With the acupuncturist’s care and sensitive approach, my daughter’s anxiety lessened greatly. The turnaround in my daughter’s mental health has been astonishing. Now, two years later, she has gone off to university and is blossoming in every way.’

Nicola

15 year old boy struggling with emotional control

Acupuncture has helped my son more than I can say. He was really struggling with his emotions, his feelings of frustration and low self-esteem. After just a few sessions, we began to see a significant improvement. He started to be able to articulate his emotions instead of ‘acting out’. Over a few months of treatment, his self-esteem improved. This had a direct and positive impact on our whole family.’

Wendy

11 year old boy with sleep problems

I took my son to acupuncture for insomnia which had started when he was about 6 years old and took a turn for the worse when he was 10 years old. He spent many a night either crying because he was scared and being awake for hours and hours. At his first appointment, I could see him relax in the care of the acupuncturist. After eight sessions, he was sleeping well every night. We occasionally go for top-ups now, during stressful times. He loves his treatment and recognises how much it has helped him.

Caroline

9 year old boy with bedwetting

My son had always wet his bed several times a week when I decided to try acupuncture. The acupuncturist was reassuring and adapted her treatment depending on how my son was feeling each week. I am delighted to say that, after twelve treatments in total, my son was dry at night and has remained that way ever since.’

Deborah

11 year old girl with asthma and chronic cough

My daughter has dealt with respiratory issues since she was 18 months old and, following recommendations and research, we visited an acupuncturist. Over the course of treatment we were given a lot of useful information about dietary modifications and other practical approaches to my daughter’s condition. Her symptoms have now receded and she has not needed to use her inhaler (which she previously used several times a day) for months. It has been wonderful to witness my daughter blossom and grow in so many ways as her physical health has improved.

Lucy

4 year old boy with glue ear and chronic cough

My 4 year old son has been having acupuncture for about a year. We noticed subtle changes to his health and behaviour right from the start. With ongoing treatment, we have been able to avoid surgery for grommets and the removal of his adenoids. Where once a cold would turn into months of snot, coughs and terrible hearing it is now a minor event that just lasts a few days.

Jess

13 year old boy with severe eczema and asthma

My son had been suffering from severe eczema and asthma since he was 6 months old. He had relied on steroid medication and his condition needed a lot of management. I was recommended acupuncture by a friend and, in desperation, we decided to try it.

At the start, both my son and I felt a little afraid of seeing the needles. Amazingly, as soon as the three needles had been inserted without any pain, my son fell asleep. For me, it was like magic and I couldn’t believe my eyes! He slept peacefully for twenty minutes until we woke him.

My son’s reliance on steroid medication has hugely reduced. The eczema on his face has almost entirely disappeared. He sleeps much more soundly and is generally thriving. This has all happened just as he made the transition from primary to secondary school. Usually, something stressful like that would have exacerbated his symptoms but they have actually improved enormously.

Kiyomi

11 year old girl with ME/CFS (Chronic-fatigue/post-viral syndrome)

I brought my daughter for acupuncture when she was in the depths of ME. She was failing to thrive, suffering from headaches and brain fog and terribly sound sensitive. She could no longer go to school because she was too weak, and on some days she could not get out of bed. We had tried many other treatments, both alternative and orthodox, nothing helped for long.

The acupuncture treatments started to work gradually right away. My daughter’s strength and her clarity of mind began to return for longer periods. The difference after each session was clear, and it stayed. The acupuncturist’s kindness and ability to listen intently meant that our family felt properly heard for the first time by any medical professional — and we had seen many. This meant we could tackle the illness as a team. The cure did not happen overnight. It never will with ME. It takes consistent commitment from everyone. But my daughter is well again now thanks to acupuncture, and that feels like a miracle.

Christina

6 month old baby with severe vomiting

I brought my son to see an acupuncturist when at 6 months old he was still vomiting constantly between feeds. Most days, he would vomit between up to 20 times. I had sought help from the doctors but did not want to go down a drug treatment route, which was all they could offer.

The acupuncturist was very reassuring and listened carefully to what I had to say about my son’s condition. I treated him gently with moxa and a few needles which never seemed to bother him. He improved quickly with the treatment, alongside the great dietary advice the acupuncturist gave us. After just six sessions, he was just vomiting a couple of times first thing in the morning. He went from being miserable and grouchy to happy and sociable.

Rachel

5 year old with severe food allergies

By the time we explored acupuncture as a treatment, our daughter had undergone three years of ill-health, with ever more extreme and invasive conventional medical treatments, and had only just received a formal diagnosis. Our acupuncturist has worked with us gently and compassionately to improve our daughter’s health, always working alongside, and respectful of, the conventional medical input that we still receive. She warned us that it might be a long road, but in fact most of our daughter’s symptoms have already been vastly improved. I could not believe the difference even after our first session – our daughter went in extremely agitated and with really severe insomnia (among other symptoms!), and came out calm and able to sleep. Since then, many other symptoms have also improved hugely in response to the treatment.

Our daughter sums it up best – this is straight from her; “Acupuncture is amazing. I look forward to it, and it makes me feel better and happy.’

Martha

3 year old girl with recurrent urinary tract infections

My three year old daughter was suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections and was getting infections every 4 weeks. At this time we were also under the care of our local hospital. Urinary tract infections in a child of such a young age can be serious and lead to lasting damage, which as a family we were concerned about. We were also worried with the potential effects of taking repeat antibiotics. After initial treatments my daughter’s infections reduced in frequency and severity, there was 4 months between her next infection, then 6 months, then a year. During the time she has been treated with acupuncture my daughter has not taken antibiotics.

Initially my daughter was treated with massage and acupressure and as she got older with very fine needles. This has never bothered her and she has on occasion fallen to sleep during her treatment. She enjoys and looks forward to her appointments.

Alison

6 month old boy - From vomiting to healthy eating

I brought my son to see an acupuncturist when at 6 months old he was still vomiting constantly between feeds. I had sought help from the NHS but did not want to go down a drug treatment route as I felt uneasy about putting my son's already weak digestive system under more strain. Jackson would vomit his milk and food constantly and although I had weaned him onto solids at 17 weeks it had not made any difference. This was a stressful period when Jackson would often be upset and uncomfortable, his eyes would go red and water and he sought to comfort himself by over-eating which resulted in a vicious and exhausting cycle of feeding and vomiting.

The acupuncturist was very reassuring, listened carefully to what I had to say about Jackson's condition and she treated him gently with moxa and a few needles which never seemed to bother Jackson very much. Jackson improved quite quickly under the acupuncturist's care and she was also able to provide great dietary advice for Jackson's reflux which I found helpful and reassuring. A combination of the feeding advice given by the acupuncturist and the acupuncture treatment given to him saw him go from vomiting at least 20 times a day to only a couple of times first thing in the morning. Jackson became a happier baby, seemed less uncomfortable and even became more sociable during this time. We saw the acupuncturist for about 2 months in total and I even became more sociable during this time. We saw the acupuncturist for about 2 months in total and I would happily recommend their services. I wouldn't hesitate to bring Jackson back again if I had any further concerns about his health. He is now a robust 1 year old with a hearty appetite and he is able to eat most foods without any digestive problems.

Overcoming bedwetting

My son had always wet his bed several times a week when I brought him to see an acupuncturist. He was beginning to become anxious about his school residential and how he would cope with that. The acupuncturist was reassuring and adapted her treatment depending on how my son was feeling each week, and whether or not he wanted to be needled. The acupuncturist was sensitive to his feelings in what was an emotional subject for him. We were delighted that there was a quick and dramatic change and he has been dry at night ever since.

Sleepless nights to rest

One of my son's was having difficulties sleeping and finding everything a bit 'too much'. He was very sensitive to change and wasn't confident at all. The insomnia started when he was about 6 years old and took a turn for the worse when he was 10 years old. He spent many a night either crying because he was scared or thinking of others in need that he couldn't help. I got to the point where I was considering taking him to the doctors as it was all getting a bit too much.

After our first appointment my son expressed his fears and I could tell he felt instantly relaxed in the acupuncturist's care. He now sleeps well every night and has progressed amazingly under the acupuncturist's care. He loves going to see her, and for me to see the difference in him is truly magical.

The acupuncturist is absolutely amazing and I would recommend anyone to take their children to be treated by her. I now have all my sons treated by her.

9 year old boy - Improving mobility and confidence

My 9 year old son has been seeing an acupuncturist for the last 10 months. The acupuncturist has a wonderful way with children, she listens completely, and always gives my son the time to tell his story his way. He didn't like the sensation of the first needle and the acupuncturist has been respectful of this and used alternative methods to treat him. He is fully relaxed in the treatment room as he trusts her implicitly. Her advice to us, as a family, has been invaluable.

We have noticed steady progress throughout the course of treatment. He has cerebral palsy which used to cause him frequent tumblings, but now he is much more steady. He is small for his age, but now appears to be going through a growth spurt. He was struggling with sleep and energy levels but now he sleeps soundly with increased energy which is helping steady. He is small for his age, but now appears to be going through a growth spurt. He was struggling with sleep and energy levels but now he sleeps soundly with increased energy which is helping him get much stronger.

He started a new school this term and is making new friends and trying new activities with confidence. Thanks to our acupuncturist my son is blossoming, and she's holding my hand too.

4 year old girl - Clothing distress to comfortable dressing

My four year old daughter was struggling with the texture and feel of clothing next to her skin. Getting dressed could take anything up to two hours and caused her great distress as every item 'didn't feel right' she would scream as items touched her skin and try to rip them off. This is completely out of character to the placid, fun loving girl that she is.

A friend recommended the an acupuncture clinic and it has made the most amazing difference to us all. My daughter enjoyed the sessions with the acupuncturist and the relaxed setting was lovely. After only a couple of months of treatment she is now able to wear any clothes she wants, gets herself dressed independently and is proud to show us her outfit. This is a far cry from mornings of the past. I am so grateful that we saw the acupuncturist and would not hesitate to recommend her.

Sickness to school confidence

Our daughter last year went from being a super confident child to suddenly becoming very anxious. We had to re-locate due to work as a family so she had to move house, school and further away from grandparents. This completely knocked her confidence and she started to get separation anxiety. It became so bad that Sunday nights she would be physically sick, thinking about having to go to school and leave us.

The acupuncturist was recommended to us by friends who I am grateful for as the outcome has been amazing. Even after the first treatment we started to see a difference and how our daughter began to get emotionally stronger. Now a few treatments on we have our confident little girl back who runs into school without looking back. Our acupuncturist is amazing with the children, she puts them at ease and listens to them, giving them time to open up to her and feel confident in her. As a family our acupuncturist is highly recommended and we are so grateful we found her.

8 year old girl - From bedwetting to dry nights

On recommendation from another parent, I contacted an acupuncture clinic to treat my 8 year old daughter who was bedwetting several times every night. The acupuncturist made us both feel very welcome, addressing questions to each of us, including us both in the process, explaining how things work and seeking our thoughts before any treatment. The unveiling of the different Chinese medicine techniques was gradual. My daughter loved being part of the process and discovering the treatment techniques, she really liked the acupuncturist's kind and considerate approach and she really liked cuddling the soft toy pandas. The acupuncturist predicted results would not be instantaneous and that some simple lifestyle changes would also benefit. We first contacted the acupuncturist in October and by Christmas my daughter was dry at night and a more mature 8 year old; and probably a more-open minded one too.

Freedom from inhalers

My son had had a chronic dry cough for the past 3-4 years, mostly at night. He was very vulnerable to catching colds that would make him severely ill and affect his breathing. He had been diagnosed with a dust allergy and asthma, and about two years ago put on steroid inhalers. I had explored other alternative medicines before with no success. I had hoped that the inhalers were a temporary measure and we had tried to reduce them and take him off them, but the cough would always return and wake him at night.

The acupuncturist took all of his fears away by giving him time to explore acupressure first and then explained the acupuncture technique to him in great detail, always checking with him whether or not the needles were hurting. He was treated with care, respect and patience. After only the second session, my son's cough had stopped, and after the third session we took him off the inhaler and haven't used it since. Remarkably, my son's sleep and appetite have also improved.

Relief from respiratory problems

I had taken my son to see an acupuncturist because he had always suffered from very noisy breathing (I can only describe it as a rattly sounding chest) and a wet cough. He also had very high temperatures when ever he was poorly which resulted on occasion in febrile convulsions as the temperature rose so quickly.

My son has been having treatments with the acupuncturist and this has completely changed his breathing and we rarely hear him cough. He hasn't had temperatures when he has caught colds since we started treatment. In addition my son has become more active and energetic and has a new found love for the outdoors and running around with his friends, which is lovely to see.

The acupuncturist has a wonderful way with the children and my son has really enjoyed the treatments and in fact he has looked forward to his appointments. In his words "she is lovely". There has never been a mention of needles from anyone. I only wish we had found the acupuncturist earlier.